The martensitic stainless steels are especially susceptible to sulfide stress cracking. Welds are difficult to soften with heat treatment and are, therefore, susceptible to cracking.…

At elevated temperatures, all stainless steels with high chromium contents will develop some “sigma phase” which causes embrittlement at lower temperatures. Sigma phase is very…

Straight chromium stainless steels, such as the ferritic (Types 405 and 430) and martensitic types (Type 410), containing 13% or more chromium can embrittle during…

Chloride stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steels (Types 304, 316, 321, 347, etc.) can occur in aqueous solutions containing chloride ions. Cracking is most…

Stainless steels are alloys of iron and chromium, typically with at least 12% chromium. Additionally, the 300 series stainless steels contain nickel. A term commonly…

Carbon-moly steel is similar to carbon steel but with 0.5% molybdenum added. The molybdenum improves the steel’s high temperature strength and graphitization resistance. The corrosion…

Carbon steel with a 1/8- to 1/4-inch corrosion allowance is the economical material selection for a large percentage of pressure vessels in refinery, chemical plant,…

[table id=1 /] (1) Carbon steel. Grades commonly used for pressure vessel plates are SA 285 Grade C, SA 515 Grade 70 and SA 516…

The likelihood and consequences of a failure must be considered in the selection of pressure vessel materials. Consideration of these factors may lead to conclusions…

The design life typically used for pressure vessels is 20 years. Exceptions are: 1. Small vessels less than about 400 cubic feet. If the vessels…